We are anticipating a busy spring during Louisiana's 2010 Regular Legislative Session, with a number of key bills and issues that affect the state's real estate industry. In addition to monitoring any and all legislation with potential impact to real estate and private property rights, here are some of the key issues LR will be focusing on in the 2010 session:

Increasing Real Estate Taxes and Transfer Recordation Fees - LR is opposed to any efforts to increase the real property transfer tax as a source of additional revenue. The tax is regressive in nature, inequitable in its application, has a narrow base and is not a stable source of revenue.

Real Estate Agency Law - LR fully supports efforts to enhance and improve upon how agents represent their clients. Proposed changes to the current law will allow for a better agency disclosure process, more accurately reflecting the nature of the transaction, and establishing a more professional disclosure form.

Condominium Law Revisions - LR will propose legislation that will help ensure that condominium properties have the financial resources for repairs and improvements, allowing REALTORS to better market to clients as an attractive investment opportunity.

Louisiana REALTORS will also be continuing its work through the Coalition to Insure Louisiana to insure that legislative policy strives to attract more insurance companies to our state in order to write more affordable and available property insurance.

All REALTOR members will receive recaps of the session activities on bills pertinent to the real estate industry in eNews Digest. For more information on these and other issues, contact Norman Morris, Senior V.P. Governmental Affairs, via email or phone at 800-266-8538.